Pirate & Princess Ball

Ruby has received many gifts, honors and recognition in the last 18 months because of her battle with cancer. Lehr and I are always humbled and usually feel awkward accepting any of these because it all seems too generous or unnecessary or something. But when I step back and view it from the outside - when I see someone else going through something similar - I want to give the same praise, love, recognition, so we try to be as gracious as possible.

Last night Ruby was one of eight honored guests at the Pirate & Princess Ball, benefiting Team in Training (Leukemia and Lymphoma Society). That meant that she and her family were invited to attend the event for free and be recognized 'on stage' with a gift basket. Lehr and Maddux had other obligations, so Eli, Ruby and I represented. 

I was a little apprehensive about the evening, given it's later start time (7PM) and the fact that I may be chasing Ruby around and wrangling her all night, in heels, but the Ball held a secret weapon unbeknownst to us: Princesses. Shortly after we arrived, Belle and Cinderella showed up and Ruby was mesmerized. She never let them out of her sight all night, and her greeting them for the first time was SO cool. She was humble and quiet - like she was greeting royalty or something. Once the ice was broken, she still gave them mad respect, but she danced and walked and held hands until we left just before 10PM.

When they called Ruby up, she ran through the aisle to the director and even grabbed the mic. No stage fright there! Ruby's former physical therapist was in attendance and was so kind to grab this video of the stunner on stage.